TL;DR
- Baltimore Ravens overcame a 1-5 start to win four consecutive games, reaching a 5-5 record.
- The team's turnaround is attributed to resilience, staying together, and avoiding extreme emotional swings.
- Baltimore is now competing for the AFC North title and a potential playoff spot.
- The Ravens aim to maintain momentum and finish the season strong, with playoff implications.
The Baltimore Ravens were left battered and bleeding on the canvas at 1-5, with their season teetering on the brink of collapse before it had truly commenced.
The franchise could have easily decided to relocate and concentrate on the 2026 season, but they opted not to, securing four consecutive victories to reach a 5-5 record. They now have an opportunity to surpass a.500 winning percentage for the first time this year when they play host to the New York Jets.
Admittedly, for some, the shift hasn't been surprising as it's aligned with Lamar Jackson's comeback, but what has truly sparked the Ravens' capacity to entirely transform their season?
Tight end Mark Andrews detailed it perfectly.
“Just being resilient and staying together,” Andrews said. “Not get too high or too down. I think it's a credit to everybody in here. It’s easy to point fingers and do that all that sort of thing, but there's none of that here. That's the type of team organization that we have is a bunch of focused individuals.”
More: Ravens' John Harbaugh not concerned by eye-popping Lamar Jackson stat
Ravens vying for AFC North title
To reach the playoffs at a 1-5 record, the Ravens' only path was to win their division, and with the Pittsburgh Steelers having been 4-1 at one point, even that seemed unattainable.
It doesn't now.
With the Steelers at 6-4 and the Ravens at 5-5, Baltimore is right there for the division.
The Ravens' schedule still includes two matchups against the Steelers, meaning the pursuit of the AFC title and a home playoff game remains very much active.
If Baltimore secures the division title and the rest of the AFC playoff standings remain unchanged, the Buffalo Bills would be heading to M&T Bank Stadium for the initial week of the postseason.
Reaching this juncture has been an immense challenge for Baltimore, yet now is not the moment for complacency; the team must maintain full momentum, aiming to conclude the season triumphantly.
More Ravens news:
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- Ravens fans will love John Harbaugh's 'big picture' comments ahead of Week 12
- Style points count for little as Ravens handed so-so grade for Brown win
- Ravens' Lamar Jackson has incredible reaction to Mark Andrews' TD run